Overseas media get closer view

New services include more group interviews for overseas reporters apart from the three open press conferences during the session.

Overseas media can apply through the official website www.cpcnews.cn for interview requests, said Cong Wu, an official with the media center, which officially opened on Monday morning in the Media Center Hotel in central Beijing.

According to the China Daily, more delegations will also throw their door open this year for media coverage, said Zhu Shoucheng, deputy director of the center.

Fifteen of the 38 delegations were open to interviews during the 16th National Congress of the CPC in 2002.

Overseas photographers who previously had to zoom in from a long distance will be allowed closer contact with Party leaders and delegates - a privilege previously given only to a few Chinese media - an official surnamed Li with the media center told China Daily on Monday.

The center, decorated in auspicious red and with Chinese knots, also offers beverages, Internet access and free photo, radio and TV transmission, said Zhu.

A total of 1,033 overseas reporters from 258 media organizations in 42 countries and regions, including 342 from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, have signed up at the center, Zhu said. The number of overseas reporters registered for the 16th Party congress was 859. (ANI)